As Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) considers a gubernatorial run, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) is heading to his colleague’s suburban Seattle district this weekend to meet with local Democrats and headline two fundraisers. They are two of several events in the area that Kucinich was invited to and will attend this weekend.
Kucinich, who could be drawn out of his Cleveland-area district, is considering looking outside Ohio for his next election to Congress, and he has visited Washington state in recent weeks. Inslee is not expected to announce his plans until after Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) says whether she will run for a third term.
On Saturday, Kucinich is speaking at a teachers’ rally in Seattle, followed by a fundraiser for the 45th legislative district Democrats in Woodinville, which is within Inslee’s district. Kucinich is also holding three events Saturday night at the University of Washington.
Kucinich will speak Sunday morning at a brunch fundraiser for 32nd legislative district Democrats in Shoreline, which is also within Inslee’s district. Beforehand he is meeting with the district’s precinct committee officers, and after brunch he is scheduled to speak at Seattle’s Green Festival.
Meanwhile, state Rep. Marko Liias (D) announced Tuesday in an email to supporters that he is exploring a bid in Inslee’s district, which includes the Microsoft campus. Liias, who represents the neighboring 21st legislative district, maintained he will not make a final decision on the race or begin raising money until Inslee announces his plans.
Another factor in anyone’s decision will be redistricting; Washington is gaining a seat through reapportionment.
Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations for the IRS, arrives for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the investigation of the IRS' targeting of political groups. Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right to not testify and caused a protest from some committee members when she offered an opening statement and engaged in dialogue with members before invoking the right.
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